Chapter 19

Dexter watched Kasey fly through the doorway for the third time, as Tara stood there holding it open. Rhonda chuckled and looked at Tara’s expression. “You get used to it.”

Tara shook her head and watched Kasey dash back out the door. “I just get tired…”

“Watching her?” Chris finished as he stepped in the house carrying the huge brass scrying dish. He grinned at her. “I’m thinking of buying those running shoes with the wheels that pop out so I can keep up with her.”

Kasey appeared at his side. “You do just fine, Chris.” She grinned up at him as she went by him carrying the last bag from the car.

Rhonda shook her head. “Any children you have are will come out with running shoes on.”

Chris laughed then sobered. “My worst fear is that our child will move as fast as she does.”

Dexter came over to look out the door then closed it. He handed Tara some photos then put his hands in his pockets as he looked down at her. “You were all tucked in when we got back last night.”

Tara nodded and flipped through the photos. She looked up at him and handed them back. “The first two were there. I don’t recognize the third.”

He nodded and glanced over as Patrick came slowly through the kitchen doorway. “Walt and Bob.”

Patrick stopped then nodded. “It’s not Bob that concerns me.”

Dexter set the photos on the table beside all the items Kasey and Rachel were setting up. “Just let me deal with Walt.”

“You don’t even carry a gun.”

Tara patted Dex’s arm. “He won’t need one either, Pat.”

Dexter looked down at her for a moment clearly confused. She grinned. “Rhonda filled me in on who does what in this fantastic bunch of people.” She laughed. “From what I’ve glimpsed, a group of angry witches is going to be more than enough to deal with this Walt person, you just zero in on the vibes then stand back and watch.”

He frowned. “Something I’ve never done before.”

Leena walked in from the kitchen. “We’ll be sure to leave you a part, Dexter. I mean none of us women can do heavy lifting right now.”

Rachel stopped and smirked up at him from where she was kneeling. “We’ll save you all the he-man parts.”

Patrick sat down slowly on a chair near the circle area. He shrugged at Dexter. “You can’t say I haven’t warned ya’ about this lot of women.”

Dexter sighed and walked over and sat in a chair beside him. “So, what, we’re to sit on the sidelines and watch them kick ass?”

Cora walked in and grinned at him. “Exactly.”

Justin joined the two men on the chairs around the circle. “It’s safer that way.”

Gwen looked up from where she sat cross-legged. “Listen and experience, gentlemen.”

Dexter watched Owen take his place in the circle between Cora and Rhonda. “How is it he gets to be in there?”

Steven, standing opposite Leena and winked at him. “That’s the golden boy, with the healing touch.” He grinned, “he milks it for all he can.”

Owen just nodded while smirking.

Chris sat down in the circle across from Kasey then smiled over to Patrick and Dexter. “You just home in on anything bad coming at us and leave the rest to us.”

Dexter shrugged. “Fine.”

Kevin and Jean came in from the kitchen carrying more dishes. He looked at Steven and Leena. “Jean and I are going to maintain the outer circle, keeping these three…” he jerked his head to the men sitting in the chairs, “safe and out of the way.”

Patrick glared over at him. “Just focus on the task at hand.”

Kevin sighed. “I get distracted once, just once.” He winked at Rachel who blushed. “And you’ve never let me live it down.”

Jean stood at the opposite end of the circle facing the men in the chairs. She smiled at Patrick. “Relax, he’s been doing some serious practicing.”

Patrick looked over at Kevin with a bewildered look. Kevin grinned. “Well I can do a lot more than just make pretty butterflies. Just watch and learn.”

Patrick shook his head and glanced back to Steven. “Let’s get this rolling then.”

Jean and Kevin glanced around at the dishes of herbs placed around the room and with a look set them smoking.

Leena and Steven did the same with the Candles marking the edge of the circle. She smiled at Dexter’s look of awe. “Oh Dex, it gets much better than this.” She nodded over to Jean. “You set the outer wall up and we’ll be right behind you with the inner.”

Jean looked at Kevin then to Leena. “Solid or moving?”

Leena pursed her lips and grinned. “Make it light instead.”

Jean nodded and looked to Kevin, who grinned and turned with his back to the group at the same moment she did.

Dexter watched Patrick sit back and smile. He watched Jean’s hands move up slowly as a ring of white light moved around to Kevin, standing behind them. He turned enough to watch and saw Kevin move his hands up raising the light to surround them in a dome over their heads.

Dexter quickly turned to watch Steven and Leena, raise their hands with motions so graceful it looked like a dance. He felt the change in the air and realized they made a wall of air, up over the group sitting around the copper dish inside the circle.

Kasey and Rachel lifted their hands over the copper dish and the water inside it turned to a deep black, then became as smooth as a sheet of glass. It was a lot to take in all at once.

As Rhonda and Cora clasped hands with Tara, Chris and Owen, Dexter’s mouth dropped open as the photos he’d handed to Tara were floating above the dish and moving in a circle.

Wow, was the only thought his mind could form. Dade began to quietly shake a small rattle and chant under his breath as Cora sunk back onto her heels and let out a deep breath.

He noticed Patrick lean forward a bit further as Rhonda did the same.

Owen reached and clasped their hands together in front of him, leaning up on his heels to place a hand on both of their shoulders. Chris took Gwen and Tara’s hands and did the same before reaching their hands out to join with Rhonda and Cora.

The pictures began to spiral faster over the dish and from where Dexter sat it looked as if Chris was controlling their movement as they rose up out and away from the calm water. Dexter wanted to stand and see what was in the dish, but knew he would break the spells if he moved.

Justin sat quietly with his hands clasped in his lap, as if he were doing no more than waiting for a cup of tea, or something as mundane.

He could only catch glimpses of images flying through the dish. Cora was sweating and Rhonda shaking and he knew that Patrick was not as calm as he appeared to be.

Kasey was grinning as she looked down into the dish. Patrick glanced away from Rhonda to look at the others and then quickly to Dexter. It made him feel better that Pat was left out of the loop as well. Rachel and Chris looked quite pleased with what they were seeing. He wished he could see what was happening. He wasn’t used to sitting on the sidelines. Although he knew he wouldn’t be very helpful right now but still, sitting here and waiting to see what everyone was seeing wasn’t easy.

“Enough.”

Dade’s voice broke the silence and he watched Owen and Chris pull the women’s clasped hands apart. Justin sat forward on his seat, but knew not to get up. Cora and Rhonda leaned back against Owen and looked completely exhausted. Tara and Gwen weren’t quite as drained, but also looked tired.

Chris glanced up at the spiraling pictures and brought them down quickly to rest on floor beside the dish. He nodded to Kasey who looked over at Rachel as the water in the dish became clear, the copper bottom shining brightly.

“Okay guys.” Kasey said softly.

Dexter watched Leena and Steven raise their hands and bring them down quickly. The presence of the air he could feel but not see was gone. As they finished, they turned and looked down at the people on the floor.

Leena smiled down at them. “Bring it down, Jean. I need to go get lots of rejuvenating tea.”

He looked over to see Jean’s hands move up and down slowly, it was as if the light was drawing back into her hands. He didn’t turn but he knew it would be the same with the man that stood behind them.

Chris glanced over at Dexter. “Pick up anything outside?”

Dexter shook his head, but still didn’t know if he trusted his own voice to speak.

“Good then.” He gathered Kasey into his arms and smiled as she snuggled into his lap.

Patrick leaned forward and looked to Owen. “They’re all right?” He glanced at Rhonda and Cora leaning against him.

Owen nodded. “A little shaky, but well enough.”

The injured man just nodded.

Cora sighed. “Well, that was quite the ride.” She grinned at Tara and Gwen. “The four of us together are something.”

Gwen grinned wide. “It was amazing.” She looked over at Tara then to Rhonda. “With the two of you helping it was so well guided, it was like turning pages in a book to get to where we needed to be.”

Rhonda nodded and let out a long breath. “But tiring, I’m ready for a nap now.”

Tara laughed. “Definitely need to stock up on energy drinks or something if we do that often.” She clasped her hands, having a hard time containing her excitement. “But that is the first time I have ever gotten to see, to actually see with my eyes, what I usually just see inside my head.”

Rachel chuckled. “I’m glad I don’t have to deal with all that flying through my brain on a daily basis.”

Tara shrugged. “Over the years, you just learn to build a resistance to it, so it doesn’t overwhelm you.”

Cora leaned into Dade’s shoulder as he moved over beside her. “You made it so much easier Tara, more controlled.” She smiled. “Thank you.”

Rhonda leaned away from Owen’s shoulder and glanced over at Dexter and Patrick. “I think if we don’t tell them what we saw soon, they’re going to pop a few veins Patrick raised his eyebrows at her. “A few?”

Dexter stood up and paced in frustration. “An understatement.”

Rhonda let out a slow breath. “Just let me catch my breath then I’ll send it to you, Pat, maybe you can pinpoint the place for us.”

“I can try.”

Chris was looking at Dexter when he paused in pacing. “It was definitely night, Dex and storming quite heavily.” He glanced around the group. “I didn’t see any but the two from the photos though, did anyone else?” Everyone shook their head. “Okay, so we’re only dealing with those two.”

Patrick leaned back and tried to get comfortable. “No sign of Jack?” Tara looked over at him and shook her head. “Damn.” He whispered.

Dexter shrugged. “Two out of the way works fine for me.” He looked down at Patrick. “We still don’t even know if Jack survived. The Captain said it would take him a few days to dig up any information about if he used private channels to get medical help.”

Patrick nodded. “I can hope he’s lying somewhere bleedin’ to death I suppose.”

“A lovely thought.” Leena murmured as she walked in carrying a tray of teacups. She stopped in front of Rhonda and then grinned down at her. “Would you like a hand up first?” Rhonda nodded. “I thought as much.” Before she could ask Dexter was there and practically lifted Rhonda into the air without trying. When her feet touched the floor, Rhonda grinned at Leena.

“Well that works.” She reached and took a cup from the tray carefully then went over and sat in the chair Dexter had bolted out of. Sipping the tea a few times she smiled at Patrick. “Pay attention, I don’t want to replay this more than once.”

Patrick nodded soberly and continued to look at her. The images came to his mind immediately. He could see the snow falling and blowing. There were enough scattered streetlights he could make out men hiding behind a shed. He’d seen the shed before. His eyebrows went up but he didn’t speak, only let Rhonda’s pictures finish playing out in his mind to confirm what he already knew.

When she was finished, she sipped her tea again. “Catch all that?”

He nodded and looked over at Dexter. “The place is my place. I’m guessing they’re watching it, waiting.”

Dexter nodded then rubbed his jaw. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting too long then, that would be rude.”

Patrick smirked at him. “It would at that.” He looked over at Owen. “You still have any of that healing left in you?”

Owen shrugged. “Sure, didn’t use much and with all the others Cora didn’t have to take it all.” He sipped the tea. “What do you need?”

Patrick took a cup Leena held out to him. “Well, if you could try to ease this pain in my back some, it would be appreciated.” Owen nodded and stood up. He winked at Tara, who clearly was impressed with this little talent of his.

Rhonda looked at Patrick then to Cora, who had the same bewildered look on her face. Patrick hoped it wasn’t for the reason he thought.

“Mister Blaine, I know you don’t think you’re going to take part in any confrontation of any sort.” Rhonda set her cup down and stood in front of him. “Unless you mean with me right here and now, put a stop to those foolish ideas.”

Owen stood behind him holding a hand over his shoulder blade making it difficult to stand up. “Come on, lass.” He grumbled. “You don’t really expect me to be sitting here while everyone goes off to trap them, do you?”

Rhonda hissed out a breath. “That is exactly what’s going to happen, Patrick.”

He looked around to see no one jumping in to help him, or her for that matter. “Just give me a gun and prop me in a window or something, I can shoot with either hand.”

“Is that supposed to be impressive?” She put her hands on her hips and glared down at him. “I’m not impressed. You are not leaving this house until we know what the hell is going on with this Jack, and the other two. If we find them or they are behind bars!” With that she turned and stomped into the kitchen.

Patrick cleared his throat and looked over to Dade. “Thanks for the back up.”

Dade put his hands in the air. “Sorry man, but I wasn’t getting in the middle of that for nothing.”

Cora looked over at him. “And you better stay out of it.” She spun on Patrick. “And you, are you insane? Wanting to go play cops and robbers when you can’t even walk upstairs yet?” She shook her head and headed back into the kitchen.

Owen lifted his hands and went back over to where he left his cup. “She’s right, Patrick. You’re going to have to sit this one out.”

Patrick glanced at Steven who nodded agreeing with Owen. “Well damn. I’m not going to win, am I?” Everyone left in the room shook their head. “Fine, I’ll stay at home and be an invalid.” He glanced towards the kitchen. I’m sorry, lass. I didn’t mean to upset you, I just feel so bloody…He looked down at his arm. Helpless.

I know, Patrick, but I can’t do that again. You almost died.

Patrick sighed and stood up slowly. He moved his arm a few inches and nodded at Owen. “Aches a bit less, thanks.” He walked slowly to the kitchen and went in.

Cora turned and watched him come in. She recognized a man about to seriously suck up, but looked at Rhonda before leaving.

“Lass.” Rhonda turned from the counter and looked at him. His heart thudded uncomfortably when he saw the worry he’d put there. “I’m sorry.”

Rhonda looked at him for a moment. She would understand helpless, she’d been that way for too many months. “It’s okay, Pat.” She walked over to him and gently moved her body into his good side. When his big arm wrapped around her in a light squeeze, she sighed. Carefully she wrapped her arms around him, making sure they were low enough to not hit his injuries.

Patrick really wished he didn’t hurt as much as he did, so he could hold her properly. He lowered his head carefully to rest on top of hers. This felt right. “Did I happen to tell you how much I missed you while I was away?” She shook her head but didn’t move to speak. “I did. You were in my thoughts every day.” He spoke slowly so he wouldn’t get winded. “I worried over you, and how were you making out.” He sighed. “Then I return like this and can’t even do half of what I wanted those weeks I thought of ya.”

Rhonda lifted her head and looked up at him. “I missed you too, Pat. I was so worried.” She smiled at him. “I’m just glad you came back at all.”

“Wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he whispered. With a careful hand, he ran it up her back slowly to cup her head. He really wished for his other arm. “You’ve been avoiding being too near me.”

She grinned at him. “So, you wouldn’t be tempted to do something to hurt yourself.”

“Ah, is that it?” She nodded. “Well I’m tempted now and to hell with it, what’s a little more pain?” He didn’t give her any further notice to object or move. Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her softly a few times before angling his head as much as he was able and deepening the kiss. She tasted as he remembered, and he wanted to get his fill.

Rhonda hesitated for a second like she was going to move away but didn’t.

She should move away, but had been starving for this kiss since he’d left her the day she moved. His mouth was hard and demanded she respond to him. She loved the feel of his arm holding her and his hand cupping her head. She couldn’t have moved away even if she wanted to at this point. When his mouth left hers, her eyes flew open, only to see pain on his face. “Pat?” She moved away to give him room.

His jaw was clenched as he tried to breath. He shook his head at her, not wanting her to worry.

“Steven.” She held onto his arm as she tried to understand what was wrong.

Steven and Tara both came bolting through the door. Steven was right in front of him placing his hand on his chest. “Slowly, Pat, just a bit at a time and the pain will lessen.”

Tara was taking Patrick’s arm from Rhonda and checking his pulse. She didn’t glance at Rhonda. “He tried to take a deep breath, his lung was probably deflated at the time.”

Rhonda stood in the middle of the kitchen with her hand over her mouth trying not to cry. She didn’t see her come in, but felt Cora at her side.

“He’ll be fine, just needs to catch his breath,” she whispered.

Tara went out of the kitchen and quickly returned. She had a small oxygen tank in her hand. Placing the mask over Patrick’s mouth, she turned it on and held it in place as she watched him.

His eyes were watering, but they stayed on Rhonda. As the oxygen went into his lungs the pain lessened somewhat. He took another slow breath and other than a slight throb in his side, was able to breathe out again. He nodded at Tara, who slowly moved the mask away from his face an inch.

Steven nodded. “He’s got it.” He took his wrist and held it glancing at his watch. Waiting for Tara to go back out of the room he glanced over at Rhonda. “I won’t ask what happened, because I’ve actually been waiting for it to happen.” She blanched and was mortified that she had been the cause. Steven chuckled and dropped Pat’s wrist. “Rhonda, I seriously doubt you forced him.”

Patrick tried to talk, but still found his breath too weak to allow words. Come hug me. She shook her head at him and looked angrily at him. Come here. I want to hold you for a second until I catch my wind. She took a few steps towards him. Not to mention to steady me to walk in there, I need to lie down. With that she was in his arm again, barely resting any part of herself against him, but still close enough so he could hold her.

Steven followed closely behind the couple as they made their way slowly to the other room again. Dexter and Dade were right there helping Patrick lie back in the bed. “Prop him up a bit with some pillows, it will help him breathe easier.” Rhonda was behind him with the pillows before anyone else could move.

Patrick took a moment to focus on his breathing, and then opened his eyes. Every soul in the room was looking worried and frightened. “I’m good,” he whispered. Rhonda pulled the blanket up over his legs to his waist.

When she reached to pull the blanket up further, he caught her hand and held it in his. If he couldn’t kiss her, he could bloody well hold her hand. He studied her face for a moment. I’m sorry, lass. You felt so good I lost myself. She stopped and looked at him. Guess you literally took my breath away.

Jackass. But she couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her lips.

Ah your sweet words, I missed those too. He watched her for a moment then closed his eyes. “Just need a wee rest.”